Salvador Dali Christ of St. John of the Cross Gold Sculpture Signed Edition of 500

Artist: Salvador Dali
Title: Christ of St. John of the Cross
Medium: Sculpture in Gold, Mounted on Green Marble
Size with marble base: 14.75" H x 6" x 6"
Size without base: 13.5" H x 5.25" W x 5" D
Edition: 6/75 AP + Standard Edition of 500
Publisher: Published by Vestart, Ltd.
Date: 1981
Inscription: Etched edition number and signature
Documentation: Includes Certificate of Authenticity and original sales paperwork

Salvador Dalí's "Christ of St. John of the Cross" is an exquisite sculpture rendered in 18-karat gold and mounted on a polished green marble base. This piece exemplifies Dalí's masterful exploration of religious themes, reflecting his profound interest in the intersection of spirituality, science, and symbolism. The sculpture stands as a three-dimensional homage to Dalí's iconic 1951 painting of the same name, reinterpreting the dramatic depiction of Christ's crucifixion with the surrealist's characteristic reverence and innovation.

Standing at 14.75 inches in height, including the base, the sculpture embodies the dramatic and emotive qualities that define Dalí's artistic oeuvre. The use of gold as the primary medium imbues the work with a sense of sacredness and opulence, underscoring the spiritual significance of the subject matter. Dalí's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the sculptural form, capturing the delicate balance between human suffering and divine transcendence.

This sculputure is number 6/75 artist's proof (AP) crated in the series in addition to the standard limited edition of 500. It bears Dalí's etched signature and edition number, affirming its authenticity and connection to the artist's hand. Published by Vestart, Ltd. in 1981, the sculpture comes with a certificate of authenticity and original sales documentation, ensuring its provenance. Additionally, this particular example is purportedly part of the esteemed "Clot Collection", a series of sculptures authenticated by Dalí's friend and collaborator, Robert Descharnes. Descharnes' close involvement with Dalí and his oversight of the collection's production process lend further credibility and historical significance to the work.

Dali's "Christ of St. John of the Cross" sculptures were cast using the ancient lost-wax casting method, a technique chosen by Dalí for its precision and ability to capture fine detail. Crafted in the Bonvicini family foundries in Verona, Italy, and Mibrosa in Barcelona, Spain, the sculptures remain true to Dalí's original vision, with the same artisans and facilities involved in their creation.

"Christ of St. John of the Cross" exemplifies Dalí's ability to blend technical mastery with profound thematic depth. It is a rare and striking addition to any collection, offering a tangible connection to one of the 20th century's most visionary artists.

About Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali is widely considered the best know surrealist artist in history and one of the most important artists of the 20th century. His “Persistence of Memory” is one of the most recognizable pieces of contemporary art in the world today. Dali worked in a wide range of mediums, including paintings, jewelry, furniture, sculpture, and large-scale installations. He was renowned for his eccentric personal style as well as his art.

Dali was born in Figueres, Spain, in 1904. His family recognized his talent and encouraged his artistic pursuits form an early age. In 1917, Dali’s father hosted an exhibition of charcoal drawings in their home, and the following year Dali held his first public exhibition at the Theatre in Figueres. The Theatre was later purchased by Dali in 1960 and turned into a museum to showcase the impressive collection of his life’s work.

In 1922, Dali moved to Madrid to study at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, where he began to gain recognize for his cubist works and his eccentric personal style. In 1927, Dali held his first solo art exhibition in Barcelona. The exhibition was well received by both the public and critics.

Until 1929, Dali experimented with a variety of styles. While some themes in his early work repeated throughout his art career, he was not considered a surrealist until 1929 when he officially joined the surrealist group. In 1931, Dali painted “Persistence of Memory” featuring melting clocks. The painting would not go on only to be Dali’s best-known work, but it also became the most well-known surrealist work of all time. During the 1930’s, Dali became increasingly interested in large scale installation works including his 1939 “Dreams of Venus” which debuted at the New York World’s Fair.

Despite his iconic surrealist works however, tension grew between Dali and the surrealist group. Dali’s work was considerably less political than many of his left leaning contemporaries, and he maintained the position that surrealism can and should exist separately from politics. Later, other members of the surrealist group would continue to criticize Dali’s work for his commercial appeal.

In 1989, Dali passed away from heart failure. Dali was buried in a crypt under the stage at his museum at the Theatre in Figueres. The final years of his life were spent continuing to create art and work on his museum.